Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System

Chapter 155: A Quiet Between Two Hearts

A Quiet Between Two Hearts

Julian cleared his throat.

"Hey... Selene."

"...Yes?"

"Could you get me a glass of water? I’m thirsty."

The words came out softer than usual, stripped of his usual teasing edge. His throat felt dry, his body still heavy from exhaustion. Even speaking took a bit of effort.

For a moment, Selene simply looked at him.

Not with annoyance.

Not with indifference.

Just... quietly.

Then she nodded.

"Sure... do you want it warm?" she asked, her tone naturally gentle, though there was a faint hesitation—as if she wasn’t used to this kind of simple care between them.

"Cold is fine."

Selene gave a small nod and turned away, her long black hair brushing lightly against her back as she moved.

She picked up a disposable cup, her fingers steady but her thoughts... not quite as calm.

The water dispenser hummed faintly as she pressed the button. A thin stream of water poured into the cup, the sound soft in the quiet hospital room.

Behind her, Julian watched.

His golden eyes followed her without much thought.

Just... naturally.

[She really came running here...]

[This version of her... feels different.]

He didn’t say it out loud.

But something in his chest shifted slightly.

—

Selene returned with the water, holding it carefully.

Julian tried to sit up.

He pushed his hands against the bed, muscles tightening—

But his body betrayed him.

A sharp wave of weakness ran through him, and his shoulders dropped back slightly.

"...Damn," he muttered under his breath.

Selene noticed instantly.

Without saying anything, she set the cup aside for a moment, then reached for a pillow.

"Don’t force it," she said softly.

Her movements were calm and precise as she slipped the pillow behind his back, supporting him, then gently helped him sit up.

Their distance closed briefly.

Close enough for him to feel the faint warmth of her presence.

Close enough for her to hear his breathing.

Once he was properly supported, she picked up the cup again.

"You can’t drink like this... let me help you," Selene said, her blue eyes catching the light faintly as she held the cup near him.

Julian blinked once.

Then smiled faintly.

"...Thanks."

He opened his mouth slightly.

Selene tilted the cup carefully.

Not too fast.

Not too slow.

Just enough.

The water touched his lips, cool and refreshing, sliding down his throat like relief after a long drought.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Only the quiet sound of him drinking.

Only the soft rhythm of their breathing.

When he finished, she lowered the cup.

"Do you want more?" she asked.

"No... I’ll just rest for a while."

Julian shook his head lightly, leaning back against the pillow.

[Better to drink less until I recover.]

[Otherwise... if I need to pee later, I can’t ask you to help, can I?]

[That’d be crossing into dangerous territory...]

He paused.

[Sigh... but at least I don’t need help with anything worse.]

His lips twitched faintly.

"...That would’ve been a tragedy," he muttered quietly, almost to himself.

Selene’s hand froze slightly.

Her expression didn’t change much—

But her lips tightened just a bit.

"..."

Hearing his thoughts, Selene’s mouth twitched.

What on earth was this guy thinking all day?

She exhaled slowly through her nose.

This idiot...

But then—

Another thought followed.

A much more dangerous one.

So Charlotte really did... help him in the bathroom?

Her gaze shifted, almost unconsciously, toward the other side of the curtain.

Charlotte was still asleep, breathing softly, completely unaware.

Selene’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

She bit her lower lip faintly.

A strange feeling stirred in her chest.

Not anger.

Not quite jealousy.

But something... sharper than she expected.

Why did you do that?

A single call... and I could have come.

Her eyes lingered there for a second longer.

Then she looked away.

—

"What happened to you today?" she asked softly, her voice quieter now, almost as if she didn’t want to disturb the fragile stillness in the room.

Julian turned his head slightly.

"Just had a late-night snack with her... then ran into some trouble while checking out the casino," he said with a faint smile.

"...nothing much."

Selene stared at him.

Nothing much?

Her gaze dropped briefly to his arm... then his chest... then back to his face.

"You call that ’nothing much’?" she asked, her voice low.

Julian shrugged slightly.

"I’m still alive, right?"

He said it lightly.

Too lightly.

Selene didn’t respond immediately.

Her eyes lingered on him.

Then she sighed quietly.

"...Idiot."

But her voice lacked any real sharpness.

—

After speaking, Julian didn’t know what else to say.

The silence returned.

Heavy.

Awkward.

Being with Selene...

He simply couldn’t find much to talk about.

Not because he didn’t want to.

But because—

Those years...

Were filled with him chasing after her.

Talking to her.

Trying to get her attention.

Only to be met with cold responses.

Short answers.

Distant eyes.

They had never...

Actually talked.

Not like this.

Not even for three minutes straight.

So now—

Even with her sitting right beside him—

He didn’t know how to continue.

—

Selene felt it too.

That strange gap between them.

That unfamiliar silence.

It wasn’t uncomfortable...

But it wasn’t easy either.

After a moment, she spoke.

"If you’re tired... just rest for a bit."

Her voice softened slightly.

Almost instinctively.

"Okay."

Julian nodded.

He shifted slightly, adjusting himself against the pillow.

Then closed his eyes.

Within moments—

His breathing slowed.

Evened out.

He fell asleep.

—

Selene didn’t move.

She sat beside him quietly.

Watching.

Not staring.

Just... being there.

Her eyes traced the subtle rise and fall of his chest.

The faint tension in his brows, slowly easing as sleep took him.

The way his expression, usually so relaxed and teasing, now looked...

Peaceful.

Unprotected.

For the first time—

She saw him like this.

Without defenses.

Without jokes.

Without that careless mask.

Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of the bed.

Not touching him.

But close.

Very close.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

Small.

Barely noticeable.

Being by his side...

Listening to his thoughts...

It’s... actually nice.

She didn’t realize when that thought formed.

Or when it settled.

But it stayed.

Quietly.

—

Time passed.

The room remained still.

Only the soft hum of the hospital machines and the faint breathing of two people filled the space.

After half an hour of quiet, Charlotte woke up.

She stretched slightly, her body still a bit sore, her mind clearing as she blinked awake.

The curtain shifted softly as she sat up.

Her teal eyes adjusted to the light.

Then—

She looked toward Selene.

And Julian.

Selene was still sitting beside him.

Calm.

Quiet.

Charlotte’s gaze lingered there for a moment.

Something unreadable passed through her eyes.

Then she spoke.

"Is he asleep?"